There is a possible link between psoriasis symptoms and the foods you eat. Find out what to include and eliminate when trying a special diet as part of your psoriasis treatment plan.

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Having psoriasis can increase your risk of
developing a number of other health conditions, including diabetes, obesity,
and heart disease. Therefore, it’s important to make healthy lifestyle choices,
such as eating a nutritious diet, when you have a chronic condition like
psoriasis.

In fact, some people may look to alter their eating
habits as a part of an effective psoriasis
treatment plan. Because psoriasis is an inflammatory disease, and a
number of triggers can cause psoriasis
flares, changing your eating habits may seem like a good way to manage your
condition.

However, the reality of developing an effective
psoriasis diet based on a list of specific foods is much more complicated.
Doctors believe some foods may exacerbate symptoms or trigger flare-ups, and
some foods that can actually help your body better respond to the disease. But
not much scientific proof is available to back up any of these theories.

"There's minimal, if any, research in this
area," says Stefan Weiss, MD a dermatologist in Boca Raton, Fla., and a
member of the medical advisory board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. But
giving your body the nutrients it needs to function properly can still help you
stay healthy, fight infection, and feel energized.

Here are some foods suspects that may be able to
influence psoriasis for the better and for the worse.

Psoriasis: Foods That May Worsen
Symptoms

You may want to consider eliminating or reducing
these foods in your diet:

Wheat gluten and yeast. Some of the
strongest scientific evidence linking psoriasis to diet involves the role of
gluten in the disease. A recent study found a potential association between
gluten sensitivity, also known as celiac disease, and psoriasis. "Many
people with psoriasis have gluten sensitivity, and some patients who go
gluten-free see improvement in their symptoms," says Jerry Bagel, MD, a
dermatologist in East Windsor, N.J., and a member of the medical advisory board
of the National Psoriasis Foundation.

Past
studies linking psoriasis and gluten intolerance have led many to suspect that
yeast intolerance also might play a factor in psoriasis, particularly the type
of yeast known as candida. While research has linked candida infection with a
worsening of psoriasis symptoms, there have been no studies that directly
suggest that yeast intolerance plays a role in psoriasis.

Alcohol. Another well-known trigger for
psoriasis is alcohol, which tends to dilate the blood vessels. "By opening
the blood vessels, white blood cells have easier access to the skin, further
promoting the anti-inflammatory response that causes psoriasis," Bagel
says.

Fatty red meat and dairy. Psoriasis is an
inflammatory disease, so it makes sense to avoid foods that prompt an
inflammatory response. Fatty red meats are known to increase inflammation, as
are whole milk and other high-fat dairy products.

Psoriasis: Foods That May Help Symptoms

These foods may be added to improve your diet:

Fish. Oily fish such as salmon
and tuna contain plentiful amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been
scientifically proven to help reduce inflammation. Fish also contains large
amounts of vitamins A and D, both of which are important nutrients for skin
growth. "They work on the DNA to modulate epidermal growth, which helps
skin develop normally," Bagel says.

Vegetables and fruits. Vegetables
like broccoli and spinach are also a good source of vitamins and other key
nutrients that promote skin development, Bagel says. Colorful vegetables are
also loaded with antioxidants, which are believed to help reduce inflammation.

Herbs. A number of herbs are
believed to be effective psoriasis treatments, including burdock root and
oregano oil (which are eaten) and cayenne, Oregon grape, avocado oil, and aloe
vera (which are rubbed on the skin in cream form).

Extreme Psoriasis Diets

While food may help your symptoms, you need to
avoid fad diets that ask you to take extreme measures, Weiss says. These diets
are likely to harm your health by robbing you of important nutrients while providing
minimal relief for psoriasis.

"Moderate food intake and exercise is your
best bet in every situation," he says. "All fad diets are
problematic."

And always be sure to talk to your doctor before
altering your diet for psoriasis, as certain foods can interact with your
medications.

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